Lauriana Mae has been causing quite a stir in the music industry, melding soulful jazz vocals (a la classic torch singers like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Etta James) with contemporary pop, R&B and hip hop music for a sound that’s utterly fresh and original. She’ll be performing at SubCulture on Wednesday, November 13th, but before she does, she took some time to answer our Take 5 questions.

SubCulture: If you could perform with one artist (dead or alive) who would it be?

Lauriana Mae: If I could perform with one artist dead or alive it would be Billy Joel. He’s my all time fav. songwriter and was such an inspiration on my upcoming project.

SC: Do you have a pre-show ritual?

LM: My pre show rituals include a set of vocal warm ups with my background singers and a circle of prayer with my backing band and best friends “The Pains”. #TeamPains

SC:What is one wacky thing about you that nobody knows (but they will now!)?

LM: One wacky thing about me that nobody knows is that I’m addicted to ending my night with fast food. If I’m leaving rehearsal, an event, a friend’s house, etc. I must stop for fries, a coke, and a sandwich.

SC:What was the first concert you ever went to?

LM: The first live concert I ever went to was a boyz ii men concert and I had the best time ever! I was too young to remember the details but I will never forget the feeling and excitement of the crowd.

SC:Who are your major musical influences?

LM: My major musical influences are sometimes completely different in every category. Like for vocals and melody definitely Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Erykah Badu. Lyrically Billy Joel, Biggie, Jay-Z. And for vibe, swag, and sometimes instrumental stuff I draw from Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. I wanted to take the greatest things I’ve ever heard/seen/felt and combine them into one unique sound.

SC: Who inspired you to become a musician?

LM: Early on it was my mother who encouraged me to start singing. She used to record me singing songs when I was little. She then signed me up for church choir where I learned about faith. Faith in God and in myself. My family and my Pains family are my biggest support system. We encourage any and every believer in us to join us and be a part of this #TeamPains movement.

S/O to my team!!! Thank you all for the amazing work you all put in in 2013!!! 2014 is ours!!!!! Also thank u to our #TeamPains supporters for all of your support and dedication by way of IG, FB, Twitter, YouTube, iTunes, blogs, and any other way you have helped us spread the word and live our dreams. Get familiar w these ppl. They are all the best at what they do and I am so blessed to have them be a part of my career and my life in general.
@promokid @brooklynjohnny @atlanticrecords @thepains @kwamevision @iamkendrell @rosenbergradio @polowdadon @sirjacksplash @alewins @blancotheory @sneakabeat @marisabmusic @tcorey99
#Love #Family #Music #NewYear #Takeover #Grateful